MAP(ID:3116/map002)
Macro Assembly Program
Macro assembler for IBM, underwrote FORTRAN, and was last resort for optimised programming
Samples:
References:
in [ACM] CACM 4(01) (Jan 1961) view details
Symbolic Programming Using MAP
Programmers can communicate instructions to computers at three general language levels. The language of the computer itself is the most basic. At the highest level are scientific and commercial programming languages, such as FORTRAN and COBOL, respectively. Assembly-program languages like the MAP (Macro Assembly Program ) language are at the intermediate level.
Because the computer executes instructions at the machine-language level, a source program written at either of the other two levels must be reduced to a machine-language object program before it can be executed. Machine-language programming is theoretically the most efficient, since no translation from source program to object program is required. For the programmer, however, programming in machine language is tedious and time consuming, and programming errors are more likely.
A source program written in the FORTRAN language closely resembles the mathematical notation used to state a problem to be solved by traditional methods. The COBOL language is based on English statements much like those that would be used to explain a procedure. These languages are relatively easy to learn and to use because of their similarity to the ordinary languages of business and science.
Source programs written in these languages are translated into machine-language programs within the computer by a compiler program. By using a compiler, the computer can produce an efficient machine language program from a FORTRAN or COBOL source program faster and more accurately than a programmer can. Such compiler languages thus offer marked advantages over machine-language programming. However, compiler languages are somewhat restrictive. Some programming features that are available when using machine language cannot be included in any present day compiler.
An assembly-program language is similar in structure to machine language. However, mnemonic symbols are substituted for each binary instruction code, and symbols provided by the programmer are substituted for the other fields of an instruction. An assembly-program language can also provide additional advantages beyond machine-language programming. For example, pseudo-operations can be provided, which often permit the coding of one instruction instead of many instructions. Thus, an assembly program provides the programmer with all the flexibility and versatility of machine language but with greatly reduced programming effort. In addition, error checking can be included to facilitate source program debugging.
Extract: Preface
Preface
The MAP language and its use in writing 7090/7094 programs are described in this publication. This symbolic language encompasses all 7090/7094 machine operations, extended machine operations, and special operations. In addition, MAP provides more than sixty pseudo-operations, including the powerful macro facility, all of which are described in this publication. MAP language programs are processed by the 7090/ 7094 assembly program, IBMAP, which is a component of the 7090/7094 IBJOB Processor and which operates under the IBJOB Monitor. The facilities of IOCS, FORTRAN, and COBOL are accessible to the MAP user.
in [ACM] CACM 4(01) (Jan 1961) view details
[321 programming languages with indication of the computer manufacturers, on whose machinery the appropriate languages are used to know. Register of the 74 computer companies; Sequence of the programming languages after the number of manufacturing firms, on whose plants the language is implemented; Sequence of the manufacturing firms after the number of used programming languages.]
in [ACM] CACM 4(01) (Jan 1961) view details
in [ACM] CACM 15(06) (June 1972) view details
in Computers & Automation 21(6B), 30 Aug 1972 view details
The exact number of all the programming languages still in use, and those which are no longer used, is unknown. Zemanek calls the abundance of programming languages and their many dialects a "language Babel". When a new programming language is developed, only its name is known at first and it takes a while before publications about it appear. For some languages, the only relevant literature stays inside the individual companies; some are reported on in papers and magazines; and only a few, such as ALGOL, BASIC, COBOL, FORTRAN, and PL/1, become known to a wider public through various text- and handbooks. The situation surrounding the application of these languages in many computer centers is a similar one.
There are differing opinions on the concept "programming languages". What is called a programming language by some may be termed a program, a processor, or a generator by others. Since there are no sharp borderlines in the field of programming languages, works were considered here which deal with machine languages, assemblers, autocoders, syntax and compilers, processors and generators, as well as with general higher programming languages.
The bibliography contains some 2,700 titles of books, magazines and essays for around 300 programming languages. However, as shown by the "Overview of Existing Programming Languages", there are more than 300 such languages. The "Overview" lists a total of 676 programming languages, but this is certainly incomplete. One author ' has already announced the "next 700 programming languages"; it is to be hoped the many users may be spared such a great variety for reasons of compatibility. The graphic representations (illustrations 1 & 2) show the development and proportion of the most widely-used programming languages, as measured by the number of publications listed here and by the number of computer manufacturers and software firms who have implemented the language in question. The illustrations show FORTRAN to be in the lead at the present time. PL/1 is advancing rapidly, although PL/1 compilers are not yet seen very often outside of IBM.
Some experts believe PL/1 will replace even the widely-used languages such as FORTRAN, COBOL, and ALGOL.4) If this does occur, it will surely take some time - as shown by the chronological diagram (illustration 2) .
It would be desirable from the user's point of view to reduce this language confusion down to the most advantageous languages. Those languages still maintained should incorporate the special facets and advantages of the otherwise superfluous languages. Obviously such demands are not in the interests of computer production firms, especially when one considers that a FORTRAN program can be executed on nearly all third-generation computers.
The titles in this bibliography are organized alphabetically according to programming language, and within a language chronologically and again alphabetically within a given year. Preceding the first programming language in the alphabet, literature is listed on several languages, as are general papers on programming languages and on the theory of formal languages (AAA).
As far as possible, the most of titles are based on autopsy. However, the bibliographical description of sone titles will not satisfy bibliography-documentation demands, since they are based on inaccurate information in various sources. Translation titles whose original titles could not be found through bibliographical research were not included. ' In view of the fact that nany libraries do not have the quoted papers, all magazine essays should have been listed with the volume, the year, issue number and the complete number of pages (e.g. pp. 721-783), so that interlibrary loans could take place with fast reader service. Unfortunately, these data were not always found.
It is hoped that this bibliography will help the electronic data processing expert, and those who wish to select the appropriate programming language from the many available, to find a way through the language Babel.
We wish to offer special thanks to Mr. Klaus G. Saur and the staff of Verlag Dokumentation for their publishing work.
Graz / Austria, May, 1973
in Computers & Automation 21(6B), 30 Aug 1972 view details